US Weapons Shortage from Iran Conflict Raises Concerns About Readiness for a Taiwan Conflict

Apr 24, 2026, 12:29

Introduction

The United States has used a large part of its precision-guided missiles and air-defense interceptors during its ongoing military operations against Iran, which started on February 28. This shortage has led to internal evaluations about the military''s ability to carry out plans for defending Taiwan in the near future, although administration officials have publicly denied such concerns.

Main Body

According to US officials, the Pentagon has used more than 1,000 Tomahawk cruise missiles, over 1,200 Patriot interceptor missiles, and approximately 1,100 JASSM-ER stealth cruise missiles, along with 1,500 to 2,000 other critical air-defense munitions including Thaad and Standard Missile variants. The American Enterprise Institute estimated the total cost of the conflict to be between $25 billion and $35 billion, and a congressional source noted that $5.6 billion worth of weapons were used in the first two days alone. Furthermore, restocking these supplies could take up to six years, according to some officials. However, Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of US forces in the Pacific, stated that major defense contractors could increase production within one to two years. A report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated that the used weapons represent roughly 27% of Tomahawk stocks, two-thirds of Patriot interceptors, and over 80% of Thaad interceptors. Mark Cancian, a senior adviser at CSIS, said rebuilding supplies would take years. The shortage has sparked internal discussions about the US ability to defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion. Some administration officials believe that the US could not fully carry out such plans in the near future, whereas others argue that heavy investment in the defense industry could shorten the restocking time. Admiral Paparo testified before Congress that he saw no real damage to the ability to deter China. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the story''s basis false, stating that the US military has more than enough weapons for any operation. Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell agreed that the military has a large arsenal. Additionally, the US follows a One China policy and has not publicly promised to defend Taiwan. US intelligence agencies assessed in March that Beijing is unlikely to start a war against Taiwan by 2027, although China wants unification by 2049. Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to hold a summit with President Trump next month. Analysts point out that China has over 600 nuclear warheads, a growing intercontinental ballistic missile program, and a large navy and army, making any conflict over Taiwan very costly. The Pentagon has moved some air-defense equipment from the Pacific to the Middle East, including radars from South Korea, but Thaad systems remain in Korea. The administration is asking for $350 billion for important weapons in the 2027 budget and has urged defense companies RTX and Lockheed Martin to greatly increase production. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has called for changing the buying system to a wartime mode. However, Congress has not yet approved extra money for the Defense Department, which officials say currently stops payment to manufacturers for restocking.

Conclusion

The ongoing conflict with Iran has caused a significant reduction in US weapons supplies, leading to different opinions about military readiness for a possible Taiwan conflict. While administration officials say that current supplies are enough and production is happening, independent analysts and some internal evaluations show that full restocking will take several years and a lot more money.

Vocabulary Learning

arsenal
A collection of weapons, ammunition, and military equipment.武器、彈藥和軍事裝備的總稱。
Example:Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell agreed that the military has a large arsenal.
carry out
To perform or complete a task, plan, or action.執行或完成某項任務、計劃或行動。
Example:The shortage has led to internal evaluations about the military's ability to carry out plans for defending Taiwan.
deter
To discourage someone from doing something, especially by making them realize the difficulties or risks.阻止或威懾某人做某事，尤其是通過讓其意識到困難或風險。
Example:Admiral Paparo testified that he saw no real damage to the ability to deter China.
restocking
The process of replenishing supplies or inventory that have been used.補充已使用的物資或庫存的過程。
Example:Restocking these supplies could take up to six years, according to some officials.
sparked
Caused or triggered something, often a reaction or discussion.引發或觸發某事，通常是反應或討論。
Example:The shortage has sparked internal discussions about the US ability to defend Taiwan.

Sentence Learning

The United States has used a large part of its precision-guided missiles and air-defense interceptors during its ongoing military operations against Iran, which started on February 28.
This sentence uses a non-defining relative clause 'which started on February 28' to add extra information about the military operations. The relative pronoun 'which' refers to 'operations', and the clause provides a time reference. This structure helps to give background details without starting a new sentence.這個句子使用了非限制性關係從句「which started on February 28」，為軍事行動補充額外資訊。關係代詞「which」指代「operations」，從句提供了時間參考。這種結構有助於在不另起新句的情況下提供背景細節。
This shortage has led to internal evaluations about the military's ability to carry out plans for defending Taiwan in the near future, although administration officials have publicly denied such concerns.
The linking word 'although' introduces a contrast between the internal evaluations (showing concern) and the public denials by officials. 'Although' connects two opposing ideas, making the logic clear.連接詞「although」引入了內部評估（顯示擔憂）與官員公開否認之間的對比。「Although」連接兩個相反的觀點，使邏輯清晰。
The American Enterprise Institute estimated the total cost of the conflict to be between $25 billion and $35 billion, and a congressional source noted that $5.6 billion worth of weapons were used in the first two days alone.
The passive voice 'were used' emphasizes the weapons themselves rather than who used them. This is common in formal reporting to focus on the action or result. The sentence also uses 'and' to combine two related pieces of information.被動語態「were used」強調武器本身而非使用它們的人。這在正式報導中很常見，用以聚焦動作或結果。句子還使用「and」來連接兩項相關資訊。
Some administration officials believe that the US could not fully carry out such plans in the near future, whereas others argue that heavy investment in the defense industry could shorten the restocking time.
'Whereas' is a linking word that shows a direct contrast between two different opinions. It helps to present opposing viewpoints clearly within one sentence.「Whereas」是一個連接詞，顯示兩種不同意見之間的直接對比。它有助於在一個句子中清晰地呈現對立的觀點。
However, Congress has not yet approved extra money for the Defense Department, which officials say currently stops payment to manufacturers for restocking.
This sentence uses a relative clause 'which officials say currently stops payment' to explain the consequence of Congress not approving money. The relative pronoun 'which' refers to the whole previous clause, adding a result.這個句子使用了關係從句「which officials say currently stops payment」來說明國會未撥款的後果。關係代詞「which」指代整個前一分句，補充結果。